Monument record 547/1/5 - The North Cheshire Ridge Roman Road

This road has been traced for a length of over 12km. The alignment is dictated by the crest-line of the escarpment of New Red Sandstone overlooking the Mersey valley to the north. In detail it was laid out in adjoining straight lengths to keep precisely to the crest of the ridge. Field evidence included study of tithe and estate maps, parish boundaries, hedge lines, place names, and observations of road material in plough fields. The road surface was observed in excavation (547/1/1). Unusually for Roman roads in Cheshire there were drainage ditches along each side of the road structure, some 2m wide and 0.6m deep. The agger apparently had a rough curb on each side to retain the structure. There is good evidence that it continued as a route in medieval times. Suggested the road was for prestige rather than economic value. Further references to road (1)

<1> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, 21/283-5 Jermy K E 1990 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.